For a number of automakers, 2015 was a prime year for learning of vehicle vulnerabilities, yet nearly three-quarters of consumers are not able to recall any instance of car hacking in the past year, according to a new survey by Kelley Blue Book. Only 26 percent of survey respondents recalled an instance of vehicle hacking in the past year, a sharp decline in awareness from nearly six months ago, showing that the majority of consumers do not have this issue high on their current radars.
"More vehicle hacking entry points exist now than ever before," said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "Cars are becoming more connected every day, which means vehicle hacking is almost inevitable. Automakers and government entities are beginning to take cyber threats seriously, but it will likely be a slow process in establishing connected car security standards for the industry. According to Kelley Blue Book's latest survey, consumers overwhelmingly feel that vehicle manufacturers, in particular, are most responsible in helping to protect them from any cybersecurity vulnerabilities that may exist in their cars."
Highlights from the survey include:
•According to a previous vehicle vulnerability survey conducted in July 2015, awareness of hacking incidences has dropped substantially to just 26 percent of consumers being able to recall an instance of vehicle hacking from the past year.
•Millennials are the least likely of all generations to think vehicle hacking will be a frequent problem within the next three years (50 percent). In contrast, nearly 70 percent of all respondents believe the same.
•The majority of Millennials support vehicles becoming more connected (60 percent); however, 58 percent are reluctant to get an autonomous vehicle. In comparison, only 42 percent of all consumers support vehicles becoming more connected, and three-quarters are reluctant to get an autonomous vehicle.
•The most common motive for hacking a vehicle is believed to be theft, according to more than half of respondents.
•Only 13 percent of consumers would never use Google's Android Auto or Apple CarPlay while driving if it increased the potential for their vehicle to be hacked. Meanwhile, 33 percent said they would only use these applications in emergencies.
•Among all generations, 56 percent of consumers believe that vehicle manufacturers should be the primary entities offering software to prevent vehicle hacking, and half of all consumers prefer they provide insurance to cover any potential losses should a hack occur.
•Forty-four percent of consumers think the vehicle manufacturer is most responsible for securing a vehicle from hacking vulnerabilities. More than two-thirds view vehicle manufacturers as partially responsible, even if a car is hacked through a mobile phone's software or applications.
